Radha Crosses a River to Interview a Hindu Sage 1810 - 1830

Painted by Chokha around the early 19th century, this artwork uses opaque watercolor on paper. Traditional painting like this involves meticulously grinding minerals and stones to create a fine pigment, mixed with a binding medium like gum arabic. The paper itself would be carefully prepared, burnished to create a smooth surface for the detailed brushwork. The painting's material execution has a direct impact on its aesthetic. Notice the smoothness and fine detail achieved through the watercolor technique. Look at the way the artist uses layers of color to build up the forms, creating a sense of depth and texture. The work is painstaking, embodying a devotion to skill and process. The social significance emerges through its demonstration of skill, communicating power and wealth, reflecting a society where artistic labor was valued. Paying attention to the materials and the making allows us to appreciate the time, labor, and skill involved in creating such a work, challenging any perceived divide between craft and fine art.